CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Service of the Word for July 11, 2021
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Questions for Reflection:
What would it mean to love God with all your heart? Could you dance like no one is watching?
“Freedom Reigns” by Jason Upton sung by Keisha Prime
Where the spirit of the Lord is There is freedom
Where the spirit of the Lord is There is freedom
Lift your eyes to heaven There is freedom, lift your eyes
Lift your eyes to heaven There is freedom
Freedom reigns in this place Showers of mercy and grace
Falling on every face There is freedom
If you're tired and thirsty There is freedom, yeah
If you're tired and thirsty There is freedom
Give your all to Jesus, give Him all There is freedom, oh
Give your all to Jesus There is freedom, yeah
Freedom reigns in this place Showers of mercy and grace
Falling on every face, There is freedom
'Cause Jesus reigns, yes
Call to Worship
Let us worship our God with the songs of praise and thanksgiving.
God has blessed us in our Lord Jesus Christ, destined us to be children of God, and sealed us in the Holy Spirit.
Let us worship God.
Hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” TPH # 482
Prayer for Illumination
God of truth, make you Word plain so that we may faithfully follow and joyfully serve you in all our ways, Amen.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures: 2 Samuel 6: 12b—19
So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David danced before the LORD with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat,and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.
Reading from the Gospel of Mark 6: 14—29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus'name had become known. Some were2 saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly puzzled and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.
When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her,
"Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.
Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's1 head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Hymn (please remain seated) “Blessed Assurance” TPH # 341
Sermon “Dancing With the Stars” The Rev. Russell Lehman
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Statement about Offering our Gifts
Consider what God has given to us; let us present offerings of thanksgiving to our God.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music “We Will Worship You” Carlos Whittaker
Prayer of Dedication: We bring an offering taken from the gifts you have given us. Because they come from you, they are holy. We return them to you with thanksgiving; bless them with the power of your love so that they may touch the lives of others. Amen.
Hymn “I Danced in the Morning” TPH # 302
Announcements
Charge/Benediction
Do not hold back the power of the Spirit; celebrate with all your might. Be brave in telling the truth about evil; serve the weak; comfort the grieving; and encourage the despairing, and God will surround you with peace, and lead you to eternal joy.
Postlude " I have decided to follow Jesus " sung by Keisha Prime